Shloka 46
Āśauca, Daśāha Piṇḍa-Rites, Vṛṣotsarga, Sāpiṇḍīkaraṇa, and the Yama-mārga
Path to Yama
मृत्तिकाभिस्तु दर्भैर्वा वृषं कृत्वा विमोचयेत् / यदिष्टं जीवतस्तस्य दद्यादेकादशे ऽहनि
mṛttikābhistu darbhairvā vṛṣaṃ kṛtvā vimocayet / yadiṣṭaṃ jīvatastasya dadyādekādaśe 'hani
ใช้ก้อนดินหรือหญ้าดัรภะปั้นเป็นรูปโคเพศผู้แล้วปล่อยให้เป็นอิสระ และสิ่งใดที่ผู้ตายชอบเมื่อยังมีชีวิต พึงถวายทานในวันที่สิบเอ็ด
Lord Vishnu (in instruction to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Afterlife Stage: Pretayoni
Ritual Type: Ekoddishta
Beneficiary: Pitr
Timing: Eleventh day (ekādaśāha).
Concept: If a real bull is unavailable, a symbolic bull may be fashioned from clay or darbha and released; additionally, offer on the eleventh day what was dear to the deceased.
Vedantic Theme: Bhāva (intent) with vidhi (form): dharma allows pratinidhi (symbolic substitute) to preserve ritual purpose; remembrance and offering connect the living and departed through karma.
Application: When ideal resources are lacking, use sanctioned substitutes (clay/darbha effigy) rather than abandoning the rite; personalize the ekādaśāha offering to the deceased’s known preferences within dharmic bounds.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 2.5.43-45 (bull requirement; preparation; timing); Garuda Purana Pretakalpa on ekādaśāha offerings and preta-śānti
FAQs
This verse prescribes making a symbolic bull from clay or darbha and releasing it, treating it as a meritorious rite connected to the departed’s post-death welfare.
It instructs that offerings aligned with the person’s cherished gifts are to be given on the eleventh day, framing shraddha as a personalized act of dharmic giving for the preta’s benefit.
On the eleventh-day observance, perform charity or offerings thoughtfully—preferably items the departed valued—while keeping the rite sincere and within one’s means.